Arab-Israeli Judge Refuses to Sing Anthem

Right-wing MKs slammed Supreme Court Justice Salim Joubran on Wednesday, after he refused to sing the national anthem at the retirement ceremony of Supreme Court President Dorit Beinisch.

Joubran, the only Arab on the Supreme Court, did not explain why he did not sing “Hatikva” at the end of the ceremony with the rest of the judges on stage, but rightist MKs reacted strongly, and some even called to remove him from his post. Friends of the judge say he objects to singing “Hatikva” on principle.

National Union MK Michael Ben Ari said he intends to put forward the ‘Joubran bill,’ according to which a judge who did not serve in the IDF or national service would not be able to serve as Supreme Court Justice.

Constitution, Law and Justice Committee chairman MK David Rotem from Yisrael Beiteinu, said he plans to ask Justice Minister Yaakov Neeman to retire Joubran. MK Moshe Feiglin of the Jewish Leadership faction of the Likud said that Joubran should return his Israeli identification card and receive resident status only.

Many Arab citizens refuse to sing the national anthem because it only alludes to Jews and the yearning of the Jewish soul for the Holy Land.